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Page 78
a child because she was jealous of the father. And what sort of uncle is the king"
"Indifferent, belike, or truly unaware. John loves Salisbury and would not, I think, allow his boy to come to harmunless No. It must be that the households are so large that he did not see what Isabella was doing. I hope the boy is not seriously ill."
"I doubt he is ill at all. He has been perfectly well these four days and even this morning."
"Then what happened to set him first pale, then blushing and trembling" Ian's voice faded.
A horrible notion had just occurred to him. Geoffrey had been carving the cheese, which was standing in front of Joanna, and JoannaIan cast a glance at herJoanna bid fair to be a beauty to make men mad. But not now! She was nine years old! Yes, and the boy was not quite 14. Only 14? Ian had another memory of his youth that he had not mentioned to Alinorthat one was quite pleasant. He had not been much more than 12 when he had had his first woman. Fortunately, at that moment Joanna bolted her last bit of bread and asked permission to go. Alinor nodded, and the girl ran off. Ian's eyes followed her.
"Do not leave Geoffrey and Joanna alone together," Ian said sharply to Alinor.
She looked at him in surprise, then raised her brows. "I had not thought of that, but you are right. It is possible. Is he forward in that manner?"
"I do not know, but in John's court he would have sufficient opportunity to learn. Take care. He who is safe is not later sorry."

 
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